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Randy Jackson Leaving 'American Idol' As Singing Contest's Ratings Continue to Plunge

Virginia D'Cruz Friday, November 14, 2014

Official Facebook Page of "American Idol"

Randy Jackson is leaving the hit reality singing contest "American Idol" and moving on to greener pastures.

In recent years, the show's ratings have rapidly diminished. It has seen a number of judges come and go.

Jackson was the last among the three judges from the original panel which consisted of Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. The trio remained as part of the show for eight seasons during which the show scaled dizzying heights in ratings and become one of the biggest shows in television as it routinely occupied the top spot in 18–49 demographic.

However, after Abdul decided to leave the show in 2009 and Cowell exited in 2010, other judges occupied their places, and since then ratings have fallen dramatically. Currently the show that just completed it 13th season lost 28 percent of the audience in the 18-49 demo when compared to the 12th season.

As for Jackson, he stepped down from the judging panel during the 13th season and became a mentor for the contestants. Jackson was part of the judging panel as a variety of stars came and went. Past judges who have worked along with Jackson include Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

While on the show, Jackson was an integral member of the panel of three judges and was noted for peppering his statements with "dawg" and referring to the "pitch" of songs performed by contestants. Time notes that when Jackson was part of the original team of three judges he demonstrated repeatedly that he could deal with the constant bickering between Abdul and Cowell.

Currently American Idol's panel of judges consists of Keith Urban, Harry Connick, Jr. and Jennifer Lopez. They have helped restore some of the credibility that was lacking, especially during the period when Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj were feuding. However, we will have to see if the judges can restore the show to its glory days when it was popularly known as the "death star" as it ate into ratings of other shows.